Peter J Kelly1, Laura D Robinson2, Amanda L Baker3, Frank P Deane4, Rebecca McKetin5, Suzie Hudson6, Carol Keane7. 1. Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Australia; Centre for Health Initiatives, University of Wollongong, Australia. Electronic address: pkelly@uow.edu.au. 2. Centre for Health Initiatives, University of Wollongong, Australia. 3. School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Australia. 4. Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Australia. 5. National Drug Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Australia. 6. Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA), Australia. 7. Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Australia; Centre for Health Initiatives, University of Wollongong, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The injection of amphetamine is becoming increasingly common. However, there has been a lack of research examining people who inject amphetamine as the primary drug of use, limiting the potential to ensure services address the unique needs of this group. The current study used latent class analysis to identify classes of polydrug use among people who report injecting amphetamine during the past 12months. It also examined differences between classes and drug use patterns, injecting practices, quality of life and psychological distress. METHODS: Participants who were attending non-government specialist alcohol and other drug treatment across New South Wales, Australia and had identified amphetamine as their principle drug of concern and reported injecting amphetamine in the previous 12months were included in the current study (N=827). Latent class analysis was performed to identify polydrug profiles of participants. RESULTS: The large majority of people in the current study (85%) demonstrated low probability of heroin or other opiate use. Three distinct classes of polydrug use were identified: (1) Low-polydrug (n=491), (2) Opiates-polydrug (n=123), and (3) Alcohol-polydrug (n=213). There was a trend for the Low-polydrug class to demonstrate better functioning and safer injecting practices than the Opiates-polydrug and Alcohol-polydrug classes. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the majority of people accessing treatment who inject amphetamine as their primary drug of choice have a low probability of heroin or other opiate use. It is important that future research consider whether traditional harm minimisation strategies are appropriate for people who primarily inject amphetamine.
BACKGROUND: The injection of amphetamine is becoming increasingly common. However, there has been a lack of research examining people who inject amphetamine as the primary drug of use, limiting the potential to ensure services address the unique needs of this group. The current study used latent class analysis to identify classes of polydrug use among people who report injecting amphetamine during the past 12months. It also examined differences between classes and drug use patterns, injecting practices, quality of life and psychological distress. METHODS:Participants who were attending non-government specialist alcohol and other drug treatment across New South Wales, Australia and had identified amphetamine as their principle drug of concern and reported injecting amphetamine in the previous 12months were included in the current study (N=827). Latent class analysis was performed to identify polydrug profiles of participants. RESULTS: The large majority of people in the current study (85%) demonstrated low probability of heroin or other opiate use. Three distinct classes of polydrug use were identified: (1) Low-polydrug (n=491), (2) Opiates-polydrug (n=123), and (3) Alcohol-polydrug (n=213). There was a trend for the Low-polydrug class to demonstrate better functioning and safer injecting practices than the Opiates-polydrug and Alcohol-polydrug classes. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the majority of people accessing treatment who inject amphetamine as their primary drug of choice have a low probability of heroin or other opiate use. It is important that future research consider whether traditional harm minimisation strategies are appropriate for people who primarily inject amphetamine.
Authors: Nina Pocuca; Jared W Young; David A MacQueen; Scott Letendre; Robert K Heaton; Mark A Geyer; William Perry; Igor Grant; Arpi Minassian Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2020-08-22 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Alison K Beck; Peter J Kelly; Frank P Deane; Amanda L Baker; Leanne Hides; Victoria Manning; Anthony Shakeshaft; Joanne Neale; John F Kelly; Rebecca M Gray; Angela Argent; Ryan McGlaughlin; Ryan Chao; Marcos Martini Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2021-06-18 Impact factor: 4.157
Authors: Rebecca McKetin; Olivia M Dean; Alyna Turner; Peter J Kelly; Brendan Quinn; Dan I Lubman; Paul Dietze; Gregory Carter; Peter Higgs; Barbara Sinclair; David Reid; Amanda L Baker; Victoria Manning; Nina Te Pas; Tamsin Thomas; Ramez Bathish; Dayle K Raftery; Anna Wrobel; Lucy Saunders; Shalini Arunogiri; Frank Cordaro; Harry Hill; Scott Hall; Philip J Clare; Mohammadreza Mohebbi; Michael Berk Journal: EClinicalMedicine Date: 2021-07-13